Whether you’re a child of an aging parent, or you’re a senior yourself, finding senior housing is no easy feat. In some cases, it can frustrating and extremely stressful. But there is a local service that can help. Plymouth business owner Barb Hemberger started an Oasis Senior Advisors franchise that helps seniors find a place to live in the northwest suburbs and beyond.

Senior Housing Search Can Be “Crazy Stressful”

At Champlin Shores senior living in Champlin, there’s nothing like a game of tile rummy to sharpen the mind. Jeff Tranberry took on the challenge of facing his mom, Jan. For Tranberry it’s a good way to spend some quality time with her.

But before his mom moved in last year, there was more stress than fun and games. Doctors diagnosed Tranberry’s mom with dementia. She needed extra care.

“It’s crazy stressful when your parent or loved one is going through it,” said Tranberry. “Having someone ask you those questions and then really make you think about what is necessary now and what is necessary in the future, is invaluable.”

Tranberry turned to Oasis Senior Advisors. Barb Hemberger stepped in to help. She provides a service that didn’t exist when she needed help with her father in 2000. At the time, Hemberger was working full-time and traveling a lot with her job.

“I was really frustrated thinking, isn’t there somebody that could help me?” recalled Hemberger.

Oasis Senior Advisors Offers Free, Unbiased Advice

Hemberger now provides help offering free, unbiased advice to people looking for senior living.

“A lot of people think of senior living as assisted living only. And it’s really more than that,” said Hemberger. “It’s independent living. Some people think of it as retirement living or 55-plus. I can help people find something from independent living all the way to memory care.”

Think of Hemberger’s role as like a realtor. She gets paid a percentage of the first month’s rent from the senior living community.

Hemberger says the demand for senior housing is pretty high. She says it can take months to even years before a spot opens up at some places. Her best piece of advice for those looking for senior housing is simple.

“You want to start early,” she said. “Because if there is a health crisis, say there’s a fall, break a hip or if there’s a stroke, or some other health care crisis, and you’re in the hospital and your mom or dad needs to be discharged, and they can’t go home, these social workers, the doctors saying your mom really needs to go into assisted living, there may not be anything available.”

A CCX News special last year included a look at the demand for senior housing. Hemberger says some senior living places fill up before they even open.

“You see this large buildings and you think plenty of room. But they fill up fast, she said.”

A Sigh of Relief

Back at Champlin Shores, Jeff Tranberry can breathe a sigh of relief knowing his mom is being cared for. And he and his mom can focus on those fun and games.

“She’s just happier here. She has friends she plays games with. Everytime I call her up, she says ‘I can’t talk. I’m too busy playing games with my friends,” said Tranberry. “So that’s been a relief that she actually enjoys it.”

CCX Media is a service of Northwest Community Television serving the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota, including Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, New Hope, Osseo, Plymouth and Robbinsdale.